Social Stratification in Higher Education: the Preservation of Traditional Patterns

Abstract

Although the educational élite is undeniably split in its conception of what higher education is, or should be, about, it is another question altogether whether this has any significant de-stabilising functions for the system as a whole. Intra-class conflict of this nature may be a periodic necessity endured by the élite as it shifts its posture towards a changing environment, while at the same time resting assured of ongoing support mechanisms. On the other hand, an emergent educational ideology may serve to undermine the efficacy of these mechanisms in a too hasty redefinition of élite needs. There is little doubt that many of the upholders of the traditional university ideal were wary of the expansionist implications of the manpower planning approach to higher education for precisely this reason. The Niblett Report, for example, was as we have shown expressly concerned with the desirability of keeping a close rein on the students from non-university backgrounds.¹